Vasudeva, with humility and reverence, bowed before the assembled sages and addressed them: “O revered ones, you are as the gods themselves. Kindly instruct us—by what actions may one destroy the bondage of karma?” Hearing this, the sage Nārada spoke to the gathered Brāhmaṇas, “O wise ones, it is no wonder that Vasudeva, eager for knowledge of the highest good, seeks guidance from us, even though he regards Kṛṣṇa as his own son. Among mortals, it is common that close association breeds familiarity and disregard, just as someone might leave the sacred Ganges to seek purification elsewhere. “The Supreme Lord, whose realization is undiminished by time, creation, or dissolution, cannot be lessened by any being, by Himself, or by any quality, from any place. Though He is undivided and untouched by suffering, karma, or the qualities of nature, He is veiled by His own powers—like life-force and mind—so that, just as the sun may be hidden by clouds, mist, or eclipse, the Lord may be mistaken or overlooked.” Then, O King, the sages addressed Anakadundubhi (Vasudeva) in the presence of all the assembled kings and the two illustrious descendants of Acyuta. They spoke thus: “The wise have established that karma is destroyed by action in this way: with faith, one should worship Viṣṇu, the Lord of all sacrifices, through the proper sacrificial rites. The tranquility of mind attained thereby has been praised by poets with the eye of scripture; the path of yoga is easy and brings joy to the self. “This, indeed, is the auspicious path for the twice-born householder: let him worship with pure means and faith, according to his resources. In due time, the wise should renounce the pursuit of wealth through sacrifice and charity, the pursuit of wife and children through household life, and the pursuit of self through spiritual attainments; those who have abandoned all attachments in the village steadfastly go to the forest for austerity. “O Lord, the twice-born is born with three debts—to the gods, to the sages, and to the ancestors. These are repaid through sacrifice, study, and the begetting of sons. If one departs without settling these debts, he falls. Today, O wise one, you are freed from two debts: to the sages and the ancestors. Having discharged your debt to the gods through sacrifice, you are now free from all obligations and without further refuge. “O Vasudeva, you have worshipped Hari, the Lord of all worlds, with supreme devotion, so much so that He has become your son.” Śuka continued: Hearing these words, Vasudeva, noble-hearted, bowed his head, pleased the sages and priests, and chose them to perform the sacrifice. Those chosen sages, righteous and learned, performed the sacrifices for him in that sacred field, following excellent rituals. As the consecration began, the Vrishnis adorned themselves with lotus garlands, bathed, and dressed in fine garments. The assembled kings too were splendidly attired. Vasudeva’s queens, radiant with joy and dressed in beautiful clothes—though without their necklaces—came to the consecration hall, anointed and bearing offerings. The air resounded with the music of drums, mridangas, kettledrums, conches, trumpets, and other instruments. Dancers performed, bards and genealogists sang praises, and Gandharva women, accompanied by their husbands, sang melodious songs. According to the ritual, the priests anointed Vasudeva, already bathed and anointed, with his eighteen wives beside him, like the king of Soma anointed by the stars. Adorned with silk, bracelets, necklaces, anklets, and earrings, Vasudeva shone, clad in the sacrificial garment. His priests, dressed in silk and adorned with jewels, together with the assembly, gleamed like Indra’s retinue at a great sacrifice. Rāma and Kṛṣṇa, surrounded by their relatives, sons, and wives, shone brilliantly, lords of life in their own splendor. Vasudeva worshipped the Lord of sacrifice, knowledge, and action with both ordinary and special rites, including the agnihotra. At the proper time, he gave the priests their due gifts, bestowing upon the already adorned ones cows, land, daughters, and great wealth. After performing the rites for his wives and the concluding ablution, the great sages, priests, and the sacrificer himself bathed in the Rama lake. Having bathed, Vasudeva distributed his ornaments and garments among the bards and women, and, newly adorned, honored the priests and others with abundant food. He honored his relatives, their wives and sons, and the people of Vidarbha, Kosala, Kuru, Kashi, Kekaya, and Sṛñjaya. He also honored the assembly, officiating priests, sages, kings, spirits, ancestors, and wandering mendicants. After taking leave of the Lord’s abode, they departed, offering blessings, to the place of sacrifice. Dhṛtarāṣṭra, his younger brother, the sons of Pṛthā, Bhīṣma, Droṇa, Pṛthā herself, the two sons of Yamā, Nārada, the divine Vyāsa, and their friends and relatives—embracing their kinsmen, the Yadus, their hearts softened by affection—departed for their own lands, carrying the pain of separation. Nanda, together with the cowherds, was honored with great affection by Kṛṣṇa, Rāma, Ugrasena, and others, and, fond of his relatives, remained there. Vasudeva, having easily crossed the vast ocean of his desires and surrounded by friends, joyfully approached Nanda, took his hand, and spoke: “Brother, the bond of affection among people, called love, is difficult to abandon—even for heroes and yogis. This friendship, established by the noble even toward those who may not return it, and whose fruit is offered in friendship, should never be given up. “In the past, dear brother, we did not act for each other’s welfare; now, blinded by pride in prosperity, we fail to notice those who stand before us. O bestower of honor, may the splendor of sovereignty never come to one who desires true welfare, for it blinds a man, so that he does not see his own people or kin.” Śuka said: Thus, with his heart softened by affection, Vasudeva—Anakadundubhi—remembered the friendship that had been shown and wept, his eyes filled with tears. Nanda, honored by the Yadus for his love toward his dear friends Govinda and Rāma, stayed there for three months, always thinking, “Today, tomorrow.” Then, when the time came, Nanda and his kin, along with the people of Vraja, were honored with the finest ornaments, silks, and priceless gifts. Receiving abundant gifts from Vasudeva, Ugrasena, Kṛṣṇa, Uddhava, Balarāma, and others, Nanda, accompanied by the Yadus, set out on his way, his heart full of gratitude and affection.